….. authorities concerned are working to ascertain the true number of abducted students.
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State, has directed for the immediate closure of all public, private,Primary and Secondary Schools across the State.
He gave the order in Minna, after a critical security meeting with heads of security agencies and religious leaders over the recent abduction of School children at St Mary’s Catholic School Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Council of the State
The Governor who explained that this is not the time for apportioning blame games but that of action to rescue the victims however explained that “All Missionary, Islamic Schools and Federal Government Colleges should be shut down until further notice”. He maintained.
The Governor said “All Tertiary Institutions in Niger North Senatorial District and other vulnerable areas in Niger East Senatorial District are to be closed down as well” and enjoined all heads of security agencies, Civil Society Organisations, the organized labour and religious leaders to focus on the rescue of the children, assuring that the government will continue to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
Governor Umar Bago while describing the incident as sad and unfortunate,he noted that the overall mission is to see how the kidnapped children and other kidnapped victims will be rescued and therefore called for prayers and understanding from all and sundry to succeed, as well as for the Nigerlites to be calm.
According to him,the number of children kidnapped from the St. Mary’s Catholic School has not been ascertained, stressing that Department of State Service, Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies are working round the clock to get the true headcount of the kidnapped students in order to ascertain the actual figure”.
Monitored.
